Acne Magazine : Skin Care, Tips, Treatment Reviews

This is a guest posting from our guest author Michael on rosacea and why natural ingredients are best. It is important to stay away from harsh, drying and irritating (irritation always equals redness) ingredients in your skin care regimen when you have rosacea.  Here, he talks about what you might want to look for in rosacea skin care.

Struggling with one of the most common skin conditions, known as Rosacea is not an uncommon battle for many Americans. I had severe Rosacea for several years when I was a teenager. The strange and embarrassing red pigmentation on my skin was incorrectly categorized as acne at school and I was ostracized.

Unfortunately for me, this runs in my family. More specifically, it was passed down from my dad who had the condition for years before it mysteriously went away one day.

By the time I was 16 I had been to so many skin care professionals who really seemed to know nothing about what i was going through. They gave me many chemical based prescription creams instead of natural rosacea solutions,  that only seemed to cause more problems. I finally decided to leave the skin care professionals to their chemistry and go for an all organic solution.

I found that natural ingredients like aloe and calendula were amazingly soothing when applied to my irritated skin that was affected by Rosacea. While the natural products were not prescribed by a doctor, they seemed to work even better than anything that the so called skin care experts had given to me.

When I looked at the ingredients on the bottles of chemical; based creams I could not read them, but when I looked at my holistic product lists I found that the ingredients all came from nature.

I figured at that point that it was much better to use something that had clean and pronounceable ingredients that I could easily research. Because these natural products were so soothing to my skin I began to investigate further.

I read a lot about my condition and found that many thing I had done were the opposite of soothing, they were in fact aggravating my Rosacea which was interesting considering that the doctors had mentioned nothing about the benefits of aloe, calendula, and even cool water rather than hot agitating water.

In the end, it convinced me that working with natural products and conscious healers, not scientists, was my way to healing. In fact, my experience has lead me to pursue a career in holistic health and skin care. Organic living has truly changed my life forever.

The simplest method for reducing facial redness is to cover it up. To do this naturally, there are many great foundations and concealers that are made from all natural holistic ingredients. Though you can visit your local cosmetics department, it may be easier to shop online for specialty natural cosmetics.

That way you can find precisely what you need for your skin type, and probably even a concealer which nourishes your skin in addition to acting as a cover up.

To combat facial redness directly, it’s important to consider what you’re washing your face with. If you’re using a traditional bar soap, it may actually be too harsh for your face, as they are more suited for the body.  Avoid sulfates and try to opt for more natural cleansing options.

You need to get gentle face cleansers that will clean effectively without aggravating sensitive skin. When washing your face, you should also avoid using wash cloths which can be abrasive. Instead, just directly apply the cleanser to your face and work it in softly with your fingers.

To reduce the look of flushing further, it may be necessary to get rid of skin care treatments, such as wrinkle reducers. They contain too many chemicals and active ingredients such as retinol, which could be increasing redness and irritation. You can also just reduce the amount of treatments you’re using, which can also help even out your skin tone.

Though some skin treatments can make the face even redder, there are specially formulated skin treatments and lotions which are good at reducing the effects as well. Look for products that contain all natural ingredients and consider using essential oils instead of lotions to moisturize your face.

Essential oils are derived from plants and seeds and don’t contain extra chemicals. They would hydrate naturally without irritating the face further.

One treatment that uses extracts from an herb called chrysanthellum indicum, has been shown to reduce the size of capillaries and improves the flushing appearance of rosacea. Other herbal remedies such as green teas and licorice have also been beneficiary.

Like intolerances to the chemicals in soap and skin lotions, food can also cause a reaction that results in flushing and symptoms of rosacea. Removing foods from your diet and then reintroducing them can allow you to find food which may be triggering the dilation of blood vessels. In general, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is essential to preserving the health of your skin and reducing facial redness.

Rosacea and acne rosacea are particularly bothersome skin conditions because they can be very tricky to treat correctly.  Sometimes, one roscea treatment will work wonders on one person, while it will fall flat with another. It depends on a variety of factors, not the least of which are your complexion type, race, gender and hormone levels.

While there are some excellent natural rosacea treatments out there which help to calm the redness and irritated look that commonly are associated with this skin condition, there are also some home remedies that are very inexpensive which can help to soothe the irritation and calm the redness down a lot.

One of them, which I agree doesn’t sound too appetizing, is the milk facial acne and redness treatment mask. While the last thing I want to do is bathe my face in stuff that usually goes in my cereal and in my eggs for scrambled eggs, milk has some interesting properties which make it a great facial treatment for those with redness, irritation and inflammation.

First off, milk contains protein, and along with that, it contains amino acids.  Amino acids are great for the skin because they help to calm redness in the skin.  Milk also contains lactic acid, which helps to smooth the skin since it has a mild, non irritating exfoliating action.   Have you ever seen acne facial peels?

Many times these peels will contain lactic acid, because it is gentle enough for acne and rosacea sufferers, and because it helps smoothe it out better than other acids without irritating it, over stripping, or over drying, which can stimulate the oil glands even further.

Milk also contains vitamin A. Vitamin A is a smoothing, soothing vitamin which helps to also gently exfoliate the skin, but also helps to calm it and quell any redness that crops up.  Combined with the natural fats found in milk, these antioxidants and exfoliants really help to ease the redness and irritation of rosacea and dry irritated skin.

You may be able to add the milk facial to your list of home made acne treatments!

This is part two of our two part mine series on remedies that can be used for the long term and ongoing treatment of the second most annoying skin condition, rosacea.  These treatments often can work for those with acne rosacea as well, since the two both require gentle, non irritating types of treatments.

Another remedy for rosacea that many people have success with is Borax. The Borax can be taken orally by mixing it with water, and it can also be applied topically to the skin. There is a certain formula to follow so that the Borax solution is in the proper proportions. It is best to use five tablespoons of Borax per 1/2 cup of distilled water.

This can be applied to the skin and left to dry overnight. In the morning, you just need to rinse it off with water. If you are going to take Borax internally, mix 1/4 of a teaspoon of Borax in one liter of distilled water. This will need to be sipped throughout the day and is a very inexpensive method of relief. If you are concerned about ingesting Borax, there are food-grade versions available.

Orange peel oil is also a great treatment for Rosacea. It can be expensive, but it has been proven to work for many individuals. It can be rubbed on the affected area and can also be taken orally. If taken orally, you will need to put several drops into each beverage that you consume.

Water works best for this, but it truly can be added to any liquid. The orange oil helps in the healing process and reduces the inflammation of the skin. It takes some time before major results are noticed, but with time your skin will begin to heal with this method.

One of the most important remedies for Rosacea is diet! Changing the way that you eat, can have a massive effect on your skin. Rosacea seems to be related to Yeast and loves sugar. Sugar is found in just about any food that you consume, even milk! If you cut your sugar intake, it can truly lessen your symptoms. Many people find relief by juicing. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables can help your skin to heal much faster.

Stress also plays a big role in Rosacea outbreaks. As with Acne, when the individual is stressed, this can trigger reactions in the skin and lead to swelling and irritation. Trying to cut stress from your life can be difficult, but it helps so much to lessen the degree of stress. Try to avoid situations that you know cause stress and get help for those times when you are having trouble coping.

As with any medical treatment, you need to check with your doctor. A doctor can diagnose your condition and the degree of Rosacea that you are suffering from. Not all treatments work for everyone, but there are so many options that are natural for your skin, you will most likely find one that works for you.

You don’t have to suffer with this embarrassing skin condition! There are remedies that can help you regain your clear skin!

This is a two parter in which I will talk to you about the various remedies, medical, natural and alternative, that can be used to help create a successful, ongoing and long term treatment program for those with rosacea and acne rosacea.

Rosacea is a skin disease that causes inflammation and reddening of the skin. It can also cause thickening of the skin and occurs on the face. It is known as the “Blushing Disease”, because it causes the sufferer to appear to be flushed.

Rosacea usually only affects adults, but can occur at any age. It is most common between the ages of 30-60, so there may be some sort of hormonal influence at work. The exact cause of Rosacea is still unknown, and it is often mistaken for other skin ailments, and even allergies.

It most frequently strikes those of English decent who have fair, sensitive skin to begin with.  There is currently no cure for Rosacea, but there are many treatments that bring relief to those afflicted.

There are many natural remedies for Rosacea. One of the most popular is Apple Cider Vinegar (I recommend using only organic, unfiltered if you try this regimen). These tablets are taken orally twice a day and give many good results. The tablets can be found at most any health food stores and are fairly inexpensive. The Apple Cider Vinegar can be taken in pill form and can also be applied to the face.

Since the Apple Cider Vinegar will take time to bring healing to the skin, it is also important to use topical treatments as well. One of the most gentle treatments is pure Aloe Vera Gel. Not all Aloe gels are made from pure Aloe, so before making a purchase, check to be sure you are getting the purest form of Aloe Vera. This can be applied several times a day to the affected area and can begin to clear the irritation, swelling, and itch.

Some people have also gotten relief by cleansing their skin with pure Sulfur soap, which is also excellent for those with acne prone skin. The Sulfur helps to clear away bacteria and reduce inflammation. This can be very helpful when used with other treatments.

Some people do have a reaction to Sulfur, so it is best to use this on a test area to see if you have a reaction. Sulfur soap can usually be found at health food stores or vitamin shops. It can also be readily found online.

That’s all we have for today, we will talk more about remedies to successfully treat rosacea and acne rosacea next time.

Rosacea— known as the “curse of the Celts”— is an unattractive but normally harmless condition in which the skin turns red; it has been observed primarily among people indigenous to northwestern Europe and their descendants in other parts of the world.

Because it makes the skin so esthetically unattractive, those who have it naturally wish to do something about it, and so dermatologists have been looking for— and discovering— effective treatments for the condition. Most treatments for rosacea fall under one of four categories— behavior, drugs, natural treatments, and surgery or device-driven therapy. 

Of course, my favorite category is the natural one.  Natural treatments for rosacea can be very effective and satisfying to the person who has rosacea, and who has acne rosacea. 

In the most mild cases of rosacea, behavior modification may be all that is needed. Such modification includes avoiding too much exposure to the sun (strongly recommended) and care of the eyelids (if one often suffers from infection in that part of the body).

More serious cases may be treated with drugs. Physicians usually begin by prescribing tetracycline and topical antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline.

If the skin does not show improvement within a reasonable time, isotretinoin— a drug commonly used to treat other skin conditions, such as cancer and acne— may be prescribed. Since rosacea often resumes once the patient stops taking the drugs, treatment may have to be longterm or even lifelong.

Laser surgery is often necessary if the patient has developed erythema (red skin). The walls of capillaries expand and burst due to the heat that results from the absorption of the light by hemoglobin, and as a result the body’s defense mechanism absorbs them. If phymatous rosacea has produced an excess of tissue, a carbon dioxide laser may be employed.

A pulsed light called PhotoDerm has proven even more effective than lasers in treating “blush” blood vessels: the patient often improves immediately, whereas lasers may need to be applied periodically.

Ultimate Light™ PhotoDerm has been used in cases of itching or burning, and such ointment creams as Protopic and Elidel may work in rosacea cases attributable to steroids. 

Light therapy has been shown to be quite beneficial in the treatment of rosacea in some people, and it also has been effective in the treatment of acne, such as with blue light acne therapy, a burgeoning market for acne treatment which can also be performed at home with home devices.  Incidentally, ex- President Clinton has rosacea. So does Mariah Carey.

I’ve been seeing newer ads for a medication called Oracea, which is used for the symptoms of rosacea and acne rosacea, a very bothersome skin condition for the people who have it. Rosacea causes the skin to look inflamed and red, and can show broken capillaries under the skin very easily.

This skin condition is prevalent in those with fair skin, and people who are of european origin. People with rosacea often complain that they cannot drink a glass of wine or go out in the sun, or even eat anything hot, without inflaming their rosacea.

Depending on the severity of the condition, rosacea can definitely be considered a major beauty problem, as it causes a lot of self consciousness about one’s appearance, and it makes it hard to really show off great skin when it always looks inflamed, ruddy and discolored. 

Often times those with rosacea will have blemishes and a very bumpy skin texture as well to deal with, which just adds to their skin care woes, and makes their sensitive skin even more tricky to care for. 

Oracea is actually just an antibiotic. It is actually the antibiotic doxycycline, which has been approved to treat acne as well.  It is supposed to help with the inflammation and outbreaks of rosacea, as well as the break outs of those who have acne rosacea, which combines both lovely skin conditions into one.

Before deciding to go on a medication like Oracea though, one needs to carefully consider the side effects of the medication while they are on it, as well as the potential long term effects of being on an antibiotic for a long period of time.

Long term antibiotic use has been linked to several health issues, including some types of cancers and problems with digestive and GI issues. 

Using antibiotics to treat acne or rosacea, such as doxycycline, tetracycline or monocylcine, is something that really should be talked over with your doctor, but you should really do your own research as well and look for reputable site online on the the subject of long term antibiotic use.

Remember, there are some excellent natural alternatives to dealing with acne and acne rosacea that can also be added to your list for serious consideration as your treatment of choice. 

Oracea may be right for you, but definitely look into the side effects and decide whether those are worth it for you, or if you really think taking a more natural route and using a natural treatment for rosacea is better (and natural doesn’t necessarily mean less effective, also keep that in mind).  As we progress in the age of medicine and cosmetic arts, I’m sure there will be better options in the treatment of rosacea.

Many who have the skin condition rosacea, or acne rosacea, which is a combination of the two skin conditions, which are both actually rooted in inflammation of different sorts when you get right down to it, are often frustrated with the lack of treatment options that actually help to relieve the condition and make the skin look “calm”.

For those that have exhausted their less expensive, natural rosacea treatment options, there may be help in lasers. Lasers are now used widely in the cosmetic enhancement and beauty marketing field as very effective alternatives to getting everything from younger looking skin, to acne free skin, to calmer skin with less redness for those with rosacea.

There are several different types of lasers, all of which usually go to different depths in the skin or have different types of skin conditions that they are most useful for because of their strength.  Laser treatments for rosacea often work well because they help to basically shrink or eliminate the broken capillaries and inflamed vessels in the face that make the face appear red when flushed.

The cost of laser treatments for rosacea and acne rosacea can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands, depending on the number of treatments that are needed to see results for the  individual patient, which also usually depends on the severity of their condition.

Rosacea often impacts those with fair skin and those of European origin, because of their fair skin. Fair skin is simply easier to see through, and because of this, it’s easier to see inflammation of the capillaries and tiny vessels that lie just beneath the surface of the facial skin.

Things like alcohol and wine consumption, smoking, air pollution, mood changes like anger, embarrassment or frustration, and spicy foods can make rosacea almost instantly worse because these things cause instant inflammation and “heat” in the face.

To reduce this “heat” and bring calm back to rosacea or acne rosacea prone skin, I would definitely say to read our recommendations for natural rosacea and acne rosacea treatments.

Natural, gentle products that focus on calming and soothing the skin are the best way to care for skin that is so prone to inflammation and “internal heat”, so that is what the recommendation consists of.  When you have this type of skin condition, you often also have very sensitive skin.

That is why it is vital that you stay away from irritating, drying and reddening chemicals that are often found in common skin care products that you buy at the drugstore.

Many people experience an odd facial flushing, almost like rosacea or acne rosacea, when they drink wine. Some people are a little more averse to red wine than white, but some experience flushed, hot skin from drinking either variety of wine.

People who actually have rosacea often have their condition aggravated when they drink alcohol of any kind, but especially when they drink wines.

It was thought at first that the reason for the facial flushing was because of the sulfites in most wines. Sulfites are really just a type of preservative that most wines have in them for a longer shelf life. You can buy wine without sulfites, but it is usually a little more expensive.

Now, they are showing in some research that the sulfites in wines may actually not be to blame for most of the cases of facial flushing from drinking wine.  Rather, they think it may be a tiny organism within the wine that is a biproduct of fermentation that may produce the allergic-type reaction that occurs in certain drinkers.

Many times the facial flushing that occurs with drinking wine is very noticeable, and therefore can cause some embarrassment and self consciousness from the drinker.  After all, facial flushing is not something anyone wants, hence the many natural treatments for rosacea these days.

Often times people of European descent with very light skin are more susceptible to wine facial flushing that those with darker complexions.  This is because you can see through to the multiple veins, capillaries and tiny blood vessels under the skin in people that are fairly complected, making it a much more noticeable problem on them.

If you experience facial flushing when drinking wine, but just enjoy wine too much to give it up, try a sulfite-free wine instead and see if that might be the cause for your flushing.  It’s worth a try, and it’s better for you since sulfites are a preservative and preservatives really aren’t good for your health.

We’ve created an all new page devoted to acne rosacea and rosacea, which is a close relative to acne since it has many of the same underlying issues affecting it, and even is often aggravated by the same things.

Rosacea is a really tough to treat problem, and often people use chemical-laden products which only aggravate the condition further. We of course recommend that you only use naturally plant based products, and we make those recommendations on our new natural acne rosacea treatment page.

Choosing the right skin care products is important when you have acne, but it’s really really important when you have rosacea or acne rosacea because usually this means you also have extremely sensitive skin that reacts to certain chemicals and irritants more extremely than other skin types.

Sure, there are some fairly effective treatments in the Doctor’s office these days, but why spend all that money and potentially be put on some sort of drug when you can treat it effectively at home for less cost and more naturally?

So, without further ado, please check out our natural acne rosacea treatment page and see what we have to say about tips, tricks and lifestyle and diet changes, as well as product recommendations to get calm, clear skin.